Device for facilitating removal of quarters of beef and the like from an overhead support



June 1962 R. BERGMAN 3, 2

DEVICE FOR FACILITATING REMOVAL OF QUARTERS OF BEEF AND THE LIKE FROM AN OVERHEAD SUPPORT Filed Dec. 10, 1959 v 2 Sheets-Sheet l A TTORNE Y R. DEVICE FOR FACILITATING REMOVAL OF BERG MAN 3,038,752

QUARTERS OF BEEF AND THE LIKE FROM AN OVERHEAD SUPPORT June 12, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec.

IN VEN TOR. fik/lard Beg/m0.

A TTOR/VE Y United States Patent ()fi ice 3,ll33,?52 Patented June 12, 1362 3,038,752 DEVICE FOR FACILITATING REMOVAL OF QUARTERS F BEEF AND THE LIKE FROM AN (EVEAD SUPPORT Richard Bergman, P.0. Box 674, Griggsville, Ill. Filed Dec. 10, 1959, Ser. No. 858,762 7 Claims. ((11. 294-19) This invention relates to a device for facilitating removal of quarters of beef and the like from an overhead support.

For example, in packing houses, freezer plants, and meat storage rooms, beef is hung from trolleys that are adapted to roll upon tracks arranged at a substantial height above the floor. Such trolleys usually comprise a grooved wheel that rolls upon the overhead track and carries a hanger having a hook swivelly connected therewith for suspending the beef therefrom. When quarters of beef are carried on the hooks, they are at a considerable height above the floor and are difiicult to remove by a person standing on the floor, particularly since the major weight of the quarter is above shoulder height. Consequently, considerable effort and muscular strength is required in holding and balancing the load during removal thereof from the track, and the operation is hazardous.

Therefore, the principal objects of the present invention are to provide a simple, hand operated device for engagement with the track to lift the trolley from the track and lower the trolley with the quarter of beef suspended therefrom to a point where the beef can be easily and safely removed, and to provide a device of this character that can be manipulated and the beef removed by one person.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a device of this character that is adapted for support by the track and floor while the quarter of beef is being removed; to provide a device in the form of a pole composed of telescoping parts or sections, one of which has a hook for engagement with the track and the other a jib arm for lifting the wheel of the trolley from the track and which is oscillatable and slidable on the section having the hook, for lowering the trolley with the beef thereon; to provide a brake carried by one of the parts or sections of the pole and having a portion adapted for frictional engagement with the other section to control descent of the load; and to provide latch or lock means for connecting the sections of the pole together when the hook is engaged with the track and the pole canted to engage the jib arm with the trolley as the pole is shifted from canted position and the jib arm is turned away from the track to provide clearance for lowering the trolley when the latch is released.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention as hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a track with a trolley supported thereon and carrying a quarter of beef to be removed from the track with the aid of a device embodying the features of the present invention, the device being shown in a position ready to engage the track and subsequently the trolley.

FIG. 2 is a similar view after the device has been hooked to the track and the jib arm engaged with and lifting the trolley from the track, the outer telescoping section of the pole being broken away to show the inner telescoping section and also the latch or lock which connects the sections together.

FIG. 3 is a similar view after the beef has been shifted by the device to a position for the trolley to clear the track as the outer section is lowered on the inner section to lower the beef.

FIG. 4 is a similar view showing the beef in lowered position to permit easy removal thereof.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View showing the principal parts of the device, and particularly the brake for controlling descent of the outer section under the load of the beef.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the lower end of the tele scoping sections, showing the latch or look for connecting the sections in fully telescoped condition.

P16. 7 is a cross section on the line 7--7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section on the line 8-8 of FIG. 5 at the point of the brake, but showing the brake in engaged position.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a portion of an overhead track such as used in meat handling establishments for carrying trolleys 2 adapted to suspend carcasses in sides and quarters 3 by means of hooks 4. The trolleys 2. usually include a grooved wheel 5 carrying a bracket 6. The bracket 6 is usually formed of strap material and shaped to provide an upper yoke 7 extending over the wheel and a lower laterally extending lug 8. The yoke 7 extends an ample distance from the upper periphery of the wheel 5 to provide a space 9 thereunder and carries a transverse axle 10 on which the roller is adapted to turn when moved along the track. Fixed to the lug 8 is the shank 11 of an eye bolt 12. Attached to the eye bolt is an eye 13 on the shank 14 of the hook 4, whereby the hook swivels and swings freely from the hanger portion of the trolley. The hook 4 has a pointed terminal 15 adapted to impale the beef thereon. The quarters of beef 3 are, therefore, suspended at a considerable distance above the floor and the major weight thereof is above the head and shoulders of a person when the beef is to be lifted therefrom. Consequently, it is difficult to get sufiicient hold of the beef to keep balance and at the same time lift the beef from the hook without exerting considerable effort, and the operation is hazardous.

In order to overcome this difliculty and to provide for safe and easy removal of the beef quarters from the hooks, the present invention provides a device 16 in the form of a pole or staff 17 that is of reasonably light weight and easily manipulated for lowering beef quarters and the like.

The staff or pole 17 comprises inner and outer telescoped tubular parts or sections 18 and 19, oscillatable and slidable longitudinally relatively to each other as later to be described. In the illustrated instance, the inner part or tubular section 18 has a hook 20 fixed to the upper end thereof, as best shown in FIG. 5. The hook 20 includes a strap portion 21 welded across the upper end of the tubular section 18 and which projects laterally therefrom to extend across and bear upon the upper edge of the track 1. The portion '21 terminates in a depending lug 22 to cooperate with the side of the section 18 to accommodate the width of the track therebetween and complete the hook 20.

The corresponding upper end of the outer tubular part or section 19 has fixed to the side thereof an upwardly and laterally curving jib arm 23 terminating at the end thereof in a prong 24 that is adapted to be inserted in the space 9 of the yoke 7 of the trolley 2, as later to be described.

The inner and outer sections 18 and 19 may be near the same length and are adapted to be latched or locked together in fully telescoped condition by means of a cross pin 25 carried by the outer tubular section 19' and which engages within diametrically opposed bayonet slots 26 and 27 formed in opposite sides of the lower end of the inner tubular section 18, as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The slots as shown in FIG. 6 include vertical portions 28 provided in the wall of the tubular section 18 and which extend from the open end thereof upwardly to terminate in lateral portions 29 to seat the pin 25. When the pin is seated, the outer section 19 is fixed from longitudinal movement relatively to the inner section 18 to retain the sections in telescoped condition, so that the as sembled pole is short enough to serve as a lever for lifting the trolley 2 from the track 1, as later described.

The combined length or" the tubular sections 18 and 19 is such that when the sections are extended from fully telescoped to a partially telescoped position, the lower end of the outer section is adapted to rest upon the floor, to support the quarter of beef above the floor but at a height so that it may be conveniently removed, as later described.

To facilitate oscillating of the outer section 19 on the inner section and facilitate sliding thereof on file inner section 18, the outer section 19 is preferably provided with diametrically opposed handles 30 and 31. a The outer section 19 also carries a brake 32 that is connected thereto above the handles 30 and 31. The brake 32 includes a palm grip 33 connected at one end between laterally projecting ears 34 and 35 on the outer section 19. The pivotal connection is effected by a pin 36 that extends through the ears 34 and 35 and through a transverse sleeve portion 33 formed on the end of the grip 33. The opposite end of the grip 33 carries a loop 39 loosely extending around the outer section 19 for restricting movement of the brake away from the tubular sections. The outer tubular section 19 has a slotlike opening 40 extending longitudinally through the wall thereof in registry with the brake to expose the outer surface of the inner tubular section 18. Fixed to the inner face of the grip 33 of the brake is a lining 4-1 having an inner frictional face 42 adapted to establish braking contact with the outer surface of the inner tubular section 18 under pressure of the palm of the hand when the fingers of the hand are extending about the circumference of the outer tubular section. The braking action is easily regulated by controlling the grip of the hand for regulating the lowering rate of the beef quarter.

In using the device constructed as illustrated and described, for example, in removing a quarter of beef from an overhead track 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1, the sections 18 and 19 of the pole are moved to fully telescoped condition. One of the sections is turned relatively to the other to engage the cross pin 25 in the lateral portions 29 of the bayonet slots 26 to latch and retain the sections in fully telescoped position. The pole when telescoped is of ample length when held by the handles 30 and 31 so that the hook 20 is easily engaged over the upper edge of the track 1, as shown in FIG. 1. With the hook 20 as a pivot, the pole is moved to a canted position in the vertical plane of the track suificiently for the prong 24 of the jib arm 23 to be moved into the space 9 formed by the upper or yoke portion 7 of the trolley 2. The pole is then moved from canted position relatively to the track so that the hook 20 pivots in the opposite direction to lift the wheel 5 of the trolley from the track, as shown in FIG. 2, whereupon the load of the beef is now shifted to the jib arm 23. Very little efifort is required because with the leverage afforded by the pole, most of the weight is carried by the track 1. The handles 31 and 32 are then used as a lever to rotate the outer section 19 upon and about the axis of the inner section in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 to swing the trolley laterally away from the track with the quarter of beef suspended therefrom. This rotative movement automatically releases the pin 25 from the bayonet slots 26 in the lower end of the inner section 18, so that the weight is shifted to the section 19, but simultaneously therewith the palm of one hand is placed against the grip 33 of the brake 32, with the fingers extending around the opposite side of the outer section 19, to exert a gripping pressure on the brake 32 sufiicient to move the brake into frictional contact with the inner section 18, thereby holding the outer section to the inner section and keeping the load on the track. Upon gradual release of the hand pressure on the brake 32 and by controlling the pressure, the quarter of beef is lowered axially on the inner section under complete control until the end of the outer section 19 rests upon the floor. The quarter of beef is then in position to be easily removed from the hook 4. After removal of the beef, the trolley 2 may be readily replaced upon the track 1 by reversing the operations. It is obvious that with the construction described the section 18 having the hook 20 may broadly constitute a pole memher, and the section 19 having the jib arm 23 may be termed an elongated member that is rotatably slidable upon the pole member.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a device for removing beef quarters and the like from support on an overhead track in a safe and convenient manner, and while I have particularly described the invention as applied for use in handling beef quarters and the like, it is obvious that the device is adapted for lowering other loads from overhead supports without departure from the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for lowering a trolley from an overhead track with a load suspended from the trolley to a position convenient for removal of the load from the trolley, said device including a pole member having a hook fixed on the upper end of the pole member by which the pole member is hooked over and suspended from the track, an elongated member slidable and rotatable upon the pole member and having a jib arm fixed to and protecting from the upper end of said elongated member for engaging the trolley when the pole member is canted on said track in the plane of the track and for lifting the trolley from said track when thepole member is shifted from said canted position toward a vertically depending position from said track, and means fixed rigidly to the elongated member by which the elongated member is turned on the pole member to swing the lifted trolley laterally of said track and by which the elongated member is lowered slidably on the pole member to bring the load into position for removal from the trolley.

2. A device for lowering a trolley from an overhead track with a load suspended from the trolley to a position convenient for removal of the load from the trolley, as described in claim 1, wherein said elongated member has a fixed part engaging a part of the pole member to retain said elongated member from sliding movement on the pole member during manipulation of the pole member on the track and said fixed part is releasable from the part of the pole member when the elongated member is turned on the pole member.

3. A device for lowering a trolley from an overhead track with a load suspended from the trolley to a position convenient for removal of the load from the trolley, as described in claim 1, and including a brake carried by the elongated member and having a friction face for cont-act with the pole member to control descent and turning of the elongated member on the pole member.

4. A device for lowering a trolley from an overhead track with a load suspended from the trolley to a position convenient for removal of the load from the trolley, as described in claim 1, and including means for releasably connecting the elongated member to the pole member during engagement of the jib arm with the trolley in which said means includes a part on the elongated member engaging a part on the pole member, and a brake carried by the elongated member and having a friction face for frictionally engaging the pole member for controlling descent and turning of the elongated member on the pole member.

5. A device for lowering a trolley from an overhead track with a load suspended from the trolley to a position above the floor convenient for removal of the load from the trolley, said device including a pole comprising coaxial inner and outer tubular sections, the outer section being movable longitudinally and turnable upon the inner section, a hook on the upper end of the inner tubular section for hooking the pole onto the track, a jib arm fixed to the upper end of the outer tubular section and having a projecting end for engaging the trolley, a hand grip on the outer tubular section by which the outer tubular section is slidably and rotatably moved into telescoped relation with the inner tubular section to bring the jib arm into position for engaging the trolley when the pole is canted on said hook to lift the trolley from said track when the pole is shifted from said canted position toward a vertically depending position from said track, said hand grip also providing means by which the outer tubular section is turned on the inner tubular section to swing the jib arm laterally away from said over head track, and an inwardly extending transverse pin fixed to the lower end of the outer tubular section, said inner tubular section being provided with a bayonet slot in the lower end and having an arcuate portion for engaging the pin therein to retain the tubular sections in said telescoped condition and having a longitudinal portion opening through said lower end of the inner tubular section for releasing said pin from said slot to lower the trolley to the position for removing the load.

6. A device for lowering a trolley from an overhead track with a load suspended from the trolley to a position above the floor convenient for removal of the load from the trolley, as described in claim 5, and including a brake lever having one end in pivotal connection with the outer tubular section near the hand grip, said outer tubular section having an opening in registry With the brake lever, and a brake lining on the brake lever and movable through the opening into frictional engagement with the inner tubular section when the brake lever is actuated for controlling descent of the outer tubular section after release of said pin from the bayonet slot.

7. A device for lowering a trolley from an overhead track with a load suspended from the trolley to a position above the floor convenient for removal of the load from tie trolley, as described in claim 5, wherein the brake lever has a guide loop extending around the outer tubular section for restricting outward movement of the brake lever.

References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 99,468 Sweden July 23, 1940 

